Happy New Year!

Here's the lyrics for the song Auld Lang Syne, just in case you need them. Happy New Year from the Bushido! (Picture of Jet, Craig and Miles compliments of Alexa White)

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind ?Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and auld lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !And surely I’ll be mine !And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,and pou’d the gowans fine ;But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,sin’ auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,frae morning sun till dine ;But seas between us braid hae roar’dsin’ auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !And gies a hand o’ thine !And we’ll tak a right gude-willie-waught,for auld lang syne.
CHORUS

Lights on Marion Square

Happy New Year! Here's a few pictures I took of the lights down at Marion Square. Btw, they're have a bash down there tonight with a band and lots of friends. Happy New Year, have fun and be safe! The Bushido will see you next year!

The future is so bright, I gotta wear shades...

Rutgers defeated Kansas State in the Texas Bowl last night and if I can have any excuse to put a photo up of Kristin Davis you know that I will. Rutgers football team won their first bowl game and when considering next season, think about this, Rutgers is returning 13 starters. Not bad for a team that was 1-11 just 4-years ago. The future really is so bright for Greg Schiano and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights!

Que the music please, "I got a nuclear science. I love my classes. I got a crazy teacher who wears dark glasses; things are going great and could only get better. Well I am doing all right, getting good grades and the futures so bright, I gotta wear shades! I gotta shades!"

Gamecocks face the Houston Cougars in today's Liberty Bowl @ 4:30!

There is a lot to do in Memphis. You could travel the city sampling bbq, hit the legendary Beale Street clubs for some of the best music in the country or take a tour of Elvis’ home (Graceland) like Syvelle Newton did yesterday. But today @ 4:30 pm, the Gamecocks (7-5) will leave the five-star Peabody Hotel behind and head to the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to face the Conference USA champion, Houston Cougars (10-3) on the artificial-turf in this year’s Liberty Bowl.

By the numbers: Cougar’s coach Art Briles is 0-2 in bowl games since taking the helm at Houston. Coach Spurrier is 0-1 at Carolina. SEC teams were 9-1 against C-USA teams in the regular season. With losses by Rice (to Troy), East Carolina (to SoFla) and Tulsa (to the Utes), C-USA teams are currently 0-3 in this year's bowl games. For all of you gamblers who like to put some money down, the Gamecocks are favored today by 5 points.

The State newspaper has an excellent article today on the importance of this afternoon’s Liberty Bowl game against Houston for Coach Steve Spurrier because “you always remember your last game.” Spurrier hit the nail on the head. Think about it, all last summer most people didn’t remember the magical season with notches of victories over Florida and Tennessee; they remembered the blemish of a blown lead and win by Mizzou in the Independence Bowl. The Visor is a football history encyclopedia and he knows that USC, with a 3-9 bowl record is the caboose of D-1 Schools, (with 3 bowl victories Indiana, Kansas and UNLV also share in this dubious honor.) After dropping an embarrassing (38-31) loss to Missouri in the 2nd half of last year’s Independence Bowl, Coach Spurrier will need another year to tie Coach Holtz for all-time bowl victories by a USC football coach (2, both against Ohio State in consecutive Outback Bowls).

The Bushido is pulling for the Gamecocks today and I’ll try to sneak out of work early to grab a cold one and catch the 4:30 game. The Gamecocks must respect and contain the throwing game of the Cougars led by Kevin Kolb, (C-USA Player of the Year) or we could end up with the same outcome as last year’s very similar styled Mizzou team. If the Gamecocks win today they will finish the season with 8 wins. If they blow-out Houston, they may just get enough votes to change that 35th ranking to a top 25!

Nina Sossamon throws in the towel and puts on her party hat!

For over a decade we've watched the our favorite female newscaster, Nina Sossamon give us our daily dose of local Chucktown news, but now she is throwing in the proverbial towel and putting on her party hat to spend more time with her and William and Mary's favorite choir boy, Ben Pogue's three kids. Admit it, you all were jealous when a guy who was the sacrificial virgin of W&M's choir, weekend meterologist (weather guy) and had the last name "Pogue" landed the cute talking head who told us all about obese children, shootings in NoChuck and Francaised named hazers at the Citadel. But Ben's a good guy and he's got a plan. He retired from news-broadcasting as well and is a 1L at CSOL.

Nina is a long way from Baton Rouge and rooming with Mary-Lou on the US Gymnastics team, and I have to admit she's done quite well for both herself, and the community. She began "Starting-Spaces" a non-profit group that helps the transition for battered women and she wears simply dashing hats which just takes the Holy City to a very cosmopolitan level. Good luck to you Nina Sossamon Pogue.

Busted! Ok, so I haven't watched Nina in a few days: Cops shoot at driver after highspeed police chase
I heard about the high-speed police chase on Christmas Eve that traveled from Hollywood to I-526 this morning on the radio. The Chas County Po-pos chased 17-year old Marquese Green and 18-year old Leraldo King (riding shotgun) in their Chevy Blazer from Towles Rd, down Savannah Hwy to Bees Ferry (I guess these guys weren't thinking about last minute shoppers causing traffic outside the Super Wal-Mart) to the Glenn McConnell until wrecking on Paul Cantrell Blvd near the on-ramp to I-526. (Mr. Green, not stopping and hitting something, That's at least one count of failure to stop for blue lights and charge of malicious injury to personal property).

Would the Smoky do this to the Bandit?

After stopping the Blazer, the sheriff deputies Andrew Miller and Kevin Harvey drew their guns and ordered the men out of the Chevy. "Either get out of the Chevy or we'll drop the heavy!" Green (the driver) then pulled a half-Nina and backed up into the police car. He only gets a half-Nina because he didn't actually run over anyone. (I think he'll still earn a ABWIK). I digress; sheriffs Wyatt and Doc Beuford T. Justice opened fire and dropped a sh_crap ton of led into the 1/2 ton of vehicle and Mr. King is still at MedU. SLED is investigating the shooting.

Scarlet Knights play Kansas State in tonight's Texas Bowl

The 16th ranked Rutgers Scarlet Knights are headed to Houston with a chance of winning their first bowl game and a chance to end their season with 11 wins for the second time in over 137 seasons. Having lost to West Virginia, Rutgers did not get the Big East's automatic BCS bid, so look for Kristin's (and Craig's) Scarlet Knights to put on a show. My only question is, will Craig's pulling for the Heels in tonight's b-ball game put the bad ju-ju on his Rutgers football squad? We will have to wait and see.

(Photo of Kristin in her scarlet battle attire, compliments of Style Magazine)

Look who's riding shotgun! JET loves Barbie!

I am home from Christmas holiday and I have to say that despite what you may believe about your family, my family definitely put the "fun" in dysfunctional. I love my family to death and we all love to pick on one another, but to my surprise, my sister, Dani gave me a Barbie doll this year. (She had her reasons!)

I know what you are thinking, 30-years old, not married, maybe he needs a hint or a reminder that the proverbial "clock is ticking". Indeed, she did the right thing. Well, she did do the right thing. She first made me think that I mistakenly in my haste to shred apart colorful paper opened one of my nieces gifts. But alas, the joke was on yours truly. (Rule #1: Play hard, laugh hard in our family).

I digress; I catch a lot of slack from the family for only dating what they refer to as "Barbie dolls" and not the challenging, intellectual, Alpha-types. (I swear it is not me, those Alpha-types of girls don't like the "Dupreeness" or "Jetness" that I bring to the table.) And are they assuming the young ladies on my "long, but distinguished list" of ex's are not smart? I'll have you know, that one of the freshmen that I dated actually read at a sophomore level.

D-Fense!

In my defense, is it my fault that I live in the Holy City where even the Alpha-types could double for Malibu-Barbie? I think not. Is it my fault that I am not looking for a Rhodes Scholar? I think not. Look I didn't invent the game. If the "All-knowing, all seeing Holy" on top of "Mt. Whatchamacallit" wanted me to have married prior to now, then it would have happened. And it is not that I have a comm..it..ment issue (see I can say, err, spell the word), because I would have happily married my high school crush Kendra Dietz, but it just wasn't in the cards. (Full disclosure: Ms. Dietz was smarter than I was and a Varsity cheerleader. I, on the other-hand, was bedeviled with acne and was too small to play football. Despite what the "centerfolds" say, not all girls just want a guy that can make them laugh. I doubt that I even came up on her radar.) Good grief, I haven't thought about that name (Kendra) in years. I wonder what ever happened to her-probably married. Sorry Y'all, time to focus.

7 Types of smoke!

I think what the family and especially my sister Dani are trying to express is that they are tired of always getting smoked by yours truly in trivia, "Who Am I?" and other board games during the holidays. They think that if I get married I will some how lose my superior cerebral powers. That I will become one of those married guys who asks, "Honey, where do we keep the ice?" But if it helps to put their worried minds to rest, I recently found out via Post Scripts that Reese Witherspoon and her kids have moved to town. Now there's an interesting, intelligent woman! (Not that I am hanging out at the aquarium or at the city parks or anything) Btw, in case you didn't pick up on it, I saw You, Me & Dupree last night, it is well worth the trip to the video store or how ever it is you get your new releases.

The Infamous, IHOP on Cox Rd. Gastonia, NC

Just a funny story to start your "Monday", that is if you are like me and are just returning from holiday. When the folks at the "Gas-Town" International House of Pancakes answer the phone, they say, "IHOP on Cox". I am not so sure I could do that with a straight face.

Wednesday's WTF?

WTF??? How did Craig Blackmon get a job as a trainer for the San Diego State University Cheerleaders? WTF Craig? You can't give a Bushido a call?

In a perfect world...

In a perfect world this would have been my birthday present for turning 30! And Eddie Murphy impersonating James Brown would be singing "Hot Tub" while I cannon-balled into the tub with my new friends.

Will it make me wet? YEAH...Will it make me sweat? YEAH! Good God! Hot tub!

The Godfather of Soul wearing gold chains, a flashing Rolex, shades as dark as midnight, perfectly coiffured hair and a bright smile would have jumped in to the tub and we'd laugh at Eddie, ask him, "Eddie, what have you done for us lately?" We talk about the Godfather's days playing baseball, and his appearance in the Rocky flick singing "Living in America", whether or not he'll see the new Rocky flick, lost loves and how Jeff Garcia is a real surprise this year leading the Eagles. To which the Eagles cheerleaders would join in with a freshly popped bottle of bubbly (probably a '98 Perrier Jouet-no 'Tal or Dom for this 5-some), inside info on the team and the hope Jeff has brought to bring Philly as they are now headed to the playoffs. Sadly, this is not a perfect world, and the Godfather of Soul has left the building. He's probably just finished a set on at the Pearly-Gates Amphitheatre, slipping into his Rainbows and robe, warming up the tub and starting the party with out me. Got to have a celebration!

RIP J.B. Thanks for the show!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Whether you are celebrating the arrival of Santa Claus or Hannukah Harry, from my family to yours, Happy Holidays! These are pictures of the Christmas tree outside of Burke County Courthouse in the Bushido's homestead of Morganton, NC .

Momma Bushido donated money to have our names along with those recently departed family members names put on the tree. It meant a lot for her to have us all home for the holidays and we repaid the favor by not having any of our infamous Rocky 5 renditions.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Friday Night Lights

I can't help but warn all of the Bushido readers out there about the nightime, blinking red light located at the corner of Calhoun St & East Bay because in the short time that I spent immediately after crossing this intersection, I saw blue-lights and so did two other Charleston motorists. As Charleston's finest, officer J. Poston said, "Watch that light, it is tricky".

Officer Poston gave me an early Christmas present, but it appears to be a catch-22 because I am supposed to spend $232 for "allegedly" not coming to a complete stop. I feel kind of bad because the Bushido didn't get old Po-Po Poston anything. Well maybe I can get him something before February's court date. Be careful folks, tis the season for giving and the cops are feeling the spirit of Christmas!

Blizzard drops 2 feet of snow in Colorado

The worst blizzard to hit the region since March 2003 dropped 30 inches of snow in the mountains and 2 feet of snow in the metro area of Denver, Colorado Springs and Ft. Collins, Colorado. I am including a picture from Miles of his friend's son back in Denver. All government offices, schools and the Post Office are closed.

The blizzard has left over 4,300 airline passengers stranded in the Denver International Airport as over 1,000 flights were canceled. Colorado Governor Bill Owens activated the National Guard after declaring a state of emergency. The Guard will help deliver necessities to shut-in families and help clear the roads as Interstates 70 & 25 are completely shut-down.

Good news: The Denver Nuggets will finally be cooled off from their fight against the Knicks and if you have family in Colorado whom you've yet to buy a present for, you have time-just blame the Post Office being closed. Stay safe out there Colorado.

The Donald believes in 2nd chances, Tara Conner is a keeper!

My thoughts exactly, an enthusiastic YES!
Seriously, Vanessa Williams already went the Penthouse route, we need a classy Miss USA who'd rather work for another six-months and then maybe consider posing for Hef's magazine instead. Congrats to my girl Tara! Thanks again Donald!

Composite basketballs, brawls and the lack of class in the NBA

In the December 18th issue of Business Week the Spalding NBA basketball was noted as one of the "Worst Products" of 2006. That same week, NBA 'Commish' David Stern announced that as of January 1, 2007 the league would return to the old leather ball previously used for the last 60 years. Despite the microfiber-composite ball having a more consistent bounce and scoring percentages being significantly higher than previously years, the players' union filed a formal grievance because the ball caused skin abrasions and slipped in contact with sweaty hands.
Whoa is me, oh chilrn of basketball
Now far be it from me to think that in a perfect world millionaires would have blisters from hard-work, but after watching last Saturday's game between the Nuggets and Knicks, it would seem that perhaps players should worry more about unprofessionalism on the court than a slippery ball that makes these guys' hands look like they put in a hard-days work. Carmello Anthony was sanctioned with a 15-game suspension for throwing a windmill punch and other fines and punishments will come down the pipe-line, but it seems that the infraction of the foul (See the YouTube clip) wasn't life-threatening to warrant a fight between the players.
This is a message for all of you NBA players out there

No one really wants to watch a bunch of 5-step traveling, over-paid showboaters brawl on the court. Basketball is a physical court, but it should be played by those who are true competitors. In the press conference held by the Knicks, head-coach Isiah Thomas blamed the Nuggets for inciting the incident because they kept their good players in the game when the Nugs were up by 15-points. Hey coach, FYI, a basketball games outcome can have a 15-point shift within 2-minutes. Quit making excuses and accept that you were beat by a better team. Did the Knicks have their best players on the court at the same time? YES!
Finally, when it gets to the point were (as a fan) you would feel safer at a dynamite convention or a open-pit cock-fight than at a NBA game, the league needs to make changes. Just because a fan taunts you or calls you names, or another player fouls you from behind doesn't mean that you should fight. Be a man, be a true admirable athlete and let your game do you talking instead of your fists.

Miss America 2006 Finalists

Just a glimpse of the rest of the talent that Miss Kentucky, Tara Conner beat to earn her tiara and title as Miss USA 2006!

U-S-A...U-S-A, everybody now!

Please keep Tara Mr. Trump! She's not bad, she's just drawn that way! The Bushido is pulling for you Tara!

The Fab Five...Miss America Finalists

If (and that is a big if) Donald Trump says to Tara, "You are fired!" Then the runner-up Miss California Tamiko Nash will take her place as Miss USA.

Happy Birthday Miss America Tara Conner

Ironically with all of the hub-bub about Miss USA's nights on the town, playing kissy-face with Miss Teen USA, failing drug tests and underage drinking threatening the status of her crown (title), today is Miss USA's 21st birthday! Happy Birthday Tara!

Granted all of these sordid allegations (if your famous read: good publicity) will put a damper on Miss Conner celebrating the time-old tradition of getting “housed” on one’s 21st birthday, but the publicity is doing wonders for the Donald and the Miss USA franchise. Think about it, most people (outside of Kentucky and the pageant world) did not know who Miss Conner was until TMZ.com broke the story of alleged lesbian kisses, bar-hoping and cocaine use forcing Tara to turn in her tiara. I only knew of Ms. Conner because of an article I wrote back in November (comparing CofC grad and former Miss USA, Lu Parker against Tara) for the CofC Sports Fan before the CofC v UK basketball game.

Gratuitous plug: please check out the CofC Sports Fan for my attempt at keeping CofC fans and grads in the loop as well as polishing my paltry sports writing skills. (Editor’s Note: I mistakenly wrote that Tara Conner attended the University of Kentucky; she did not, she attended Somerset Community College.)

Tara (pronounced TAR-uh, that’s how they pronounce it in Russell Springs, KY) Conner is a former Miss Young Russell County, former Miss Kentucky Teen USA, the reigning Miss Kentucky and reigning Miss USA. Finally, Tara was fourth in the Miss Universe pageant this past July.Tara, Happy Birthday, and I just want you to know, “the morning I wake-up, and before you put on your make-up…I say a little prayer for you!” I hope you keep the tiara Tara.

Rookie mistakes! Sorry that I've been so slack recently on posting. I have been busy at my new crime-scene detective job-look out Gary Sinese!

All right, that's just a joke from a friend. I have just been very busy; tis the season, if you know what I mean. Stay tuned because I have quite a few posts in the 'drafts' section.

Happy Birthday to my brother Mike and Carol Anne!

The Bushido would like to wish Pit-Stop's special lady, Carol Anne (blonde in photo) and my brother Mike Trabert Happy Birthday!

Sunday Samurai: Productivity

Fortune Magazine's Stanley Bing, "While you were out", addresses the recent US Dept of Labor's release that (non-farm business) productivity hit naught for this past quarter. Meaning, American workers are getting paid (annually) 3.8% more for doing the same work as last quarter. Bing attributes the lack of productivity to variables such as excessive meetings, too many digital devices and too much time hanging ten on the keyboard (internet surfing).

Mr. Bing did an excellent job also addressing the intangibles of production: What does this country actually produce? How do we measure productivity? And after the job cuts to boost the numbers throughout the 90's and in this decade forcing 10 workers to do the work of 20, aren't we already maxxed out when it comes to productivity?As a blogger with a day-job, I understand the pressure of productivity. As a rule, I don't blog from work (full disclosure: every once in awhile I'll see a video on You Tube and spend the 20-seconds it takes to send it to the it takes to send it to the Bushido.) I do bounce ideas off of my colleagues and as part of my job I do get a lot of time to read articles for research. Besides, I spend my day putting out fires and dealing with deadlines so being on blogger wouldn't be very "productive".

I do take it as a point of pride to try and be productive on the Bushido, not for the money (naught) but to keep you all, if not informed at least talking about issues of the day. Obviously, you can tell when I am on vacation, sick (I had a touch of the bird-flu last week) or just plain beat from well, shuffling papers all day at Crosby, Stills and Nash. But if we measure productivity by posts, then the Bushido's production is up from last year. But since there is a new blog started every 30-seconds (one for every person in the country) then I have to at least keep things interesting, brief and office appropos to keep you coming back. So I'll do my part of producing intangible, yet entertaining, diatribes if you promise to keep up your productivity (currently even keel according to the government) at work.

Happy Birthday to John Tumey

I'd like to wish Mr. John Tumey a happy birthday! Unfortunately, John won't let me put photos up of him on the Bushido, so here is one of his daughter Isabel looking for her Daddy! John we are all very proud of you for building a wonderful family and a great business (Planted Earth Landscaping).

It's a funny thing about me and Tumey, in college I dated his sister and was hesitant to meet him because, well, I used to date his sister. But as one of those funny things in life happened, I (unfortunately) haven't spoken with Mary in quite sometime, but I "shared" best-man duties at John and Jenny's wedding. I can only hope that I'll continue to have a best friend like John for the rest of my life. Now, if I could only get him to have some interest in sports other than hunting and fishing. Happy Birthday Tumey!

The Alpha and Beta of Thomas Ravenel

My fellow South Carolinians, here is T-Rav, your State's Treasurer! God Help Us All!

Family Guy 604-from the Bushido's Kentucky Bureau

Since I am here in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, I thought that I'd give a shout out to our soldiers in the U.S. Army, compliments of Family Guy!

The Black Keys' "Your Touch"

I haven't picked up Black Keys' (new album) Magic Potion, but here is their video "Your Touch". I am using the video from the guys (Dan Auerbach-gtr/vox and Patrick Carney-drums) from Akron, Ohio to help celebrate the Ohio State Buckeyes victory over Michigan and their chance for the National Championship. Go Bucks!

USC Trojan Cheerleaders-Keep 'em blonde!

USC Cheerleaders (The Song Girls): CSTV

There's two USC teams that I'd like to see win today: the Gamecocks of South Carolina and the Trojans of Southern Cal. I know what you are thinking, why is the Bushido pulling for USC over Notre Dame? I have two reasons: 1) I want to see either Arkansas or USC play Ohio State and 2) see video. Keep em blonde!

Scissor Sisters - Take your Mama Out

Not much blogging here at the Bushido since I am on holiday, but I did want to give you all a dose of the Scissor Sisters and say, haaaeeeyyyy to the efforts being made for Gay Rights in New Jersey and Arizona!

Go Gamecocks!

South Carolina Gamecocks 2001 Entrance

"Thus Spake Zarathusa", or commonly known as "2001: Space Odessey". Go Gamecocks!

Go Gamecocks!

Clemson/University of South Carolina Brawl 2004

Coach Spurrier is downplaying the rivalry between Clemson and our beloved Gamecocks, but make no doubt that the other team still fears the Gamecocks. The last time USC went to Clemson Memorial the attached fight broke out; the Cocks lost 29-7, Holtz retired and the Visor took over. Although the Cocks lost with Spurrier at the helm last year, you should expect a win from Spurrier and the GameChickens this year, which will put this rivalry right back in prime position on Spurrier's list of teams USC has to beat on their schedule. Go Cocks!

Happy Birthday to Pit-Stop

I'd like to thank Carol Anne for putting everything together this past weekend for Pit-Stop's birthday party. The Buckeyes won, Pit-Stop was surprised and we all had some fun. Props to Dusty for picking up on the redundancy of the Bushido Way (translates to "Way of the Warrior Way") but hey, I am Americanizing the saying just as most Americans mispronounce Hiroshima. Besides, I think it just plain sounds better.

I have a few more party pictures to put up, but this is from the Sony-Eric-W300i the last time Chad and Carol Anne were in town.

Magnum p.i. pilot opening

Happy Birthday to Chad McGowan!

Somewhere over the rainbow

What do you find at the end of a rainbow in Michigan? (See photo for answer)

Reese Witherspoon is back on the market

Reese, darling, the Bushido is a big fan and I thought since you are single and I am single, maybe, just maybe, you'd like to come hang out in Charleston. No pressure, just dinner maybe a little dancing.
(Photo of Reese Witherspoon from Legally Blonde, compliments of T-Rav)

3 Days and a wake-up before the biggest rivalry in College Football!

I took a sick-day today because I caught the bug going around. I am feeling better and will be back at work (@ the law firm-Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, LLC) tomorrow. I couldn't let you down and miss another shot at Michigan, so here you go. WILSON!!!

Muck Fichigan! Messages Home from Iraq!

4-days and a wake-up until The Ohio State vs. Michigan game!










Honestly, I think things are turning around in Iraq!

Rutgers is ranked in the top 10!

If Kristin Davis (Rutgers Alum) is fishing for compliments, I'll bite-girl the Bushido digs your style and you and your alma mater are both in the Bushido's top 5!

Rutgers Rankings:

• AP Poll ranks Rutgers #7
• BCS Poll ranks Rutgers #6
• CBS Sportsline 119 Poll ranks Rutgers #5
• Coaches Poll ranks Rutgers #8

And so it begins...

Countdown until #1 The Ohio State Buckeyes host the 2nd ranked Michigan Wolverines is 5-days. I thought we start a new tradition here at the Bushido and give those Wolverines their just desserts. Class has started Michigan, prepare to be schooled on Saturday!

(Photo compliments of Rival Fanatics)

CofC volleyball team plays for their 3rd straight SoCon Tournament Title

The CofC volleyball team will play for their 3rd straight SoCon Tournament Title this weekend @ App. State (Boone, N.C.). The Cougs are 23-7, 17-1 in the SoCon and are the #1-seed for this weekend's tournament; they will play the Ga. Southern v Western Carolina winner on the 17th @ 12:30 pm. (Photo compliments of CofC Sports.com) After the SoCon Tournament the Cougs will have their final regular season game against South Carolina on the 22nd of November @ 5 pm.

Make no doubt about it, the Cougars are formidable. Although the Bushido didn't get an autographed poster this year, I've been pulling for them all year. The Cougs beat UNC-Chapel Hill (3-1) in September and they won a big game in their season opener against San Diego State. Highlight: Senior Libero Marie Dobrenz was named SoCon Player of the Week for a second time this week.

The Cougars have one lost in the SoCon (Elon) and their other out of conference losses came from big programs: Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Cal-State Fullerton, Coastal Carolina, Iowa and Wichita State (Shockers).

So Con Basketball

The CofC Cougars man-handled the Ga State Panthers (72-66) on the road, but we weren't the only ones to bring home a win in our first game.

Here are the current standings of the SoCon South Division:

1. Furman (2-0) defeated Charleston Southern 88-69 and Erskine 67-55
2. CofC (1-0) won on the road by six just a few miles from the "Thrillerdome". George Street has all of the talent and the magic of Coach Cremins, but can we deflate our egos in time to earn nationally ranking? Hey Coach, take a page out of Greg Schiano's book and just let the guys humbly chop wood, one-game-at-a-time.
3. Davidson (2-1) the Wildcats beat Central Connecticut State 91-64 and they beat Eastern Michigan on the road, 81 to 77 to get their first notch on the proverbial victory belt. Davidson may not be favored, but they always put a crafty and tough group on the hardwood, which is seen in their only loss to the Michigan Wolverines by 10 (68-78)
4. Georgia Southern (1-1) the Eagles put up triple digits in their win against UC-Davis (116-73) and lost to Duke by 24 (72-48).
5. Citadel (1-2) Our cross-town rivals the Citadel defeated Ohio Valley 79 to 58 for their home-opener Friday night to begin Ed Conroy's tenure and to kick off their Homecoming Weekend. The Bulldogs then lost (respectively) on the road to Michigan State (73-41) and Iowa (75-53).
6. Wofford (0-1) Woof! Woof!
   
   
   

U.S. Marine Corps Birthday!

The Marine Corps Birthday U.S. Marines Silent Platoon

Leathernecks and the Tun Tavern
231 years ago to this date, the 2nd Continental Congress was looking for “a few good men” to keep their small fleet of ships safe from the British. So with great insight, our “Founding Fathers” passed a resolution creating the United States Marine Corps and appointed Samual Nicholas as the first Commandant of the two newly formed battalions of Continental Marines. Nicholas commissioned his friend and proprietor of Peggy Mullan’s Red Hot Beef Steak Club at Tun Tavern, Robert Mullan, to be the first Marine Corps recruiter, Mullan immediately set up shop at the Tun Tavern, (Philadelphia, PA) hence the birthplace of the Marines. If you get a chance, check out the video GoDaddy.com put together by clicking here. From low-maintenance haircuts, to the coolest uniforms in the world, here are 219 reasons to love your Corps, by Chris Lawson from the Marine Corps Times.

Party on Wayne
146 years later, the 13th Commandant of the USMC, Major General John LeJeune issued Marine Corps Order no. 47, Series 1921 to establish the celebration of the Marines Corps Birthday. Of course, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball is quite reflective of the discipline, traditions and polish of the Marines (as Jenna Jameson recently learned) but the Birthday Ball is more than just pomp and circumstance. The tradition of the Birthday Ball is as important for strengthening the bonds of the Corps as Thanksgiving is for civilian families.

This is not the first time she’s been black-balled
Taking into consideration the traditions, standards and elitism of the United States Marine Corps and in extension, the Marine Corps Ball, the reasons for the USMC Miramar base’s “Brass” requesting their guest speaker, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter, Tito Ortiz to leave his girlfriend Jenna Jameson at home. Indeed, Ortiz has a big fan base with Marines and was honored to speak, but he too has to stay Semper Fidelis at home so he respectfully with drew his acceptance to speak. Then again, if Mr. Ortiz needs someone to watch his girlfriend while he gives his speech, Jenna is welcome to hangout with the Bushido and friends here in Charleston.

Not a Marine, here’s how to celebrate in style anyway
Once a Marine, always a Marine, but if you weren’t in the Corps, I suggest watching a few Marines on the big screen. Clint not only made a kick-a** flick Heartbreak Ridge about Recon Marines, but he just released Flags of our Fathers about the raising of Old Glory at Iwo Jima and the effect this event had on our country. If you want a wider selection of movies choose from any movie made by other Former Marines who made it to the big screen: Steve McQueen, Burt Reynolds, Lee Marvin, Charlton Heston, Gene Hackman, and George C. Scott to name a few. If you are not into movies, go to a toy store and stock up on merch to donate to the Marine sponsored Toys for Tots this Christmas.

Happy Birthday to all current and former Marines! Ooh-rah!

6 Through 10 Reasons Why Rutgers Will Beat Louisville!

I couldn't get this all to fit in one post, so here are the 6 through 10 reasons why Rutgers will win tonight!

6) Rutgers' kicker Jeremy Ito has a leg that would make Alexi Lalis ('90) proud: If the game is on the line, put it in Ito's hand.

7) Just as former Scarlet Knight and L.A. Laker Eddie Jordan ('82) knows how to win, so does this Rutgers team: They've won 8-straight and the first college football game against Princeton in 1869.













8) Coach Greg Schiano has a vision of the future for his team: Just as Avery Brooks (1976) has a strong concept of the future and is an excellent decision maker on Deep Space Nine, so is Coach Schiano. (Photo compiments of Answers.com)











9) Coach Schiano runs the football team just as efficiently as David Stern runs the NBA: (Photo compliments of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.)









10) The Scarlet Knights keep on chopping wood: Just as Asia Carrera knows how to handle "wood", the football team keeps hacking away, play by play, one game at a time. Note for clarity: Asia Carrera (Jessica Andrea Steinhauser) did not graduate from Rutgers as she started her career while in college. To my critics, although Carrera is an adult film star, she had an academic scholarship to Rutgers and she is a member of Mensa.

The Bulldgogs Come Home! Homecoming begins on Veteran's Day for the Citadel

Homecoming at El Cid: The Citadel will host a pep-rally/bon-fire on the Washington Light Infantry Field, (for those of you who’ve forgotten your “Knob Knowledge”) WLI Field is the soccer field down by the boat-house. The rally begins @ 5:30 pm or 17:30 for you military-types, with pep-talks from El Cid’s Prez, General Rosa, football Coach Kevin Higgins and basketball Coach Ed Conroy. The “Q’s” (Regimental band and pipes) will perform from Indian Hill and the bon-fire will be ablaze around 7:15 pm. Indeed, the Citadel is starting their Homecoming Weekend a day early, but they are doing so to recognize this country’s Veterans (especially those who served during WWII) on Veteran’s Day. (Click here for parking map)

Ed Conroy begins his tenure at McAlister Field House
Friday night, the Bulldogs open their basketball season against Ohio Valley tip-off is @ 7:05 pm. Ticket prices are $10, but for this very special evening a canned or non-“perishable” food item for donation to the Low Country Food Bank or your ticket for Saturday’s football game against VMI will get you in for free. Citadel graduate and cousin to Ed Conroy (the Citadel’s basketball coach) Pat Conroy, along with teammates from “their losing season” (1966-1967), will be at McAlister Field House to sign Pat’s book My Losing Season. Autographs are free to those with tickets to the basketball game. Granted the Bushido is affiliated (read: graduate) with the Citadel’s cross-town-rivals, I do respect and encourage the exciting changes Coach Conroy is making with the Bulldog program. Obviously, basketball and a flare for creative writing (see Coach Conroy’s blog) are ingrained into the Conroy DNA, but Ed Conroy is doing something revolutionary with the Citadel basketball team-he is involving them with the Corps and he built them a tough schedule. Coach Conroy (as mentioned during his interview on “The Dog-Pound” last night) is reaching across that great-gray divide between the Corps of Cadets and the Corps Squad Athletes by bringing in cadets to practice with the basketball team on Fridays. Will the Citadel be contenders against out of conference teams such as Michigan State, Southern Cal (USC), South Carolina (USC), Notre Dame, and Iowa? Probably not, but their team will become better as they play better teams, making themselves and the SoCon better. By the way, all of those non-conference games are away-games except for the game against the Gamecocks that game will be played at McAlister Field House. (Click here for the Bulldog’s Basketball Schedule)

The Silver Shako
The Bulldogs welcome the VMI Keydets to Johnson-Hagood Stadium on Saturday @ 2pm for a battle between the two military schools for the coveted Silver Shako (a “Napoleonic-cover” or hat worn by both schools in dress parade cast in silver) trophy. Despite getting off to a good start by winning their opener against Davidson, VMI comes to Charleston having dropped eight-straight games. After losing to App. State last week 42-13, the Citadel is 3-6, but fear not Homecoming attendees, the Bulldogs have won their last two home games, beating Western Carolina 30-27 in OT and upsetting Georgia Southern 27-24. After watching the Bulldogs in action, the Bushido predicts that the knobs will have to continue shining the (humidity and salt-water) tarnish off the Silver Shako for another year! Go Bulldogs!

I think the joke goes like this, a Citadel Grad and an Editor from the Post & Courier are in a Spelling Bee, who “WHENS”?

Sorry, I forgot the punch-line, but to keep with the iconoclastic spirit of Mr. Pat Conroy, here is free advice to the Editor’s at the Post and Courier and the Citadel’s Athletic Marketing Department: When advertising an author’s book-signing at the Citadel basketball home opener, you should at least run the wording through the spell-checker.

In case you missed it, the line from the ad reads, “Any canned good or non-parishable food item”. “Parishable” unfortunately is not a word, “Perishable” is-meaning liable to perish, spoil or decay. (Merriam-Webster) All right, since Citadel grads have a reputation as poor spellers anyway, probably no one will catch this spelling error. So, we’ll just share a chuckle over this behind their backs, but W(here)-T-F is the oversight at the Post & Courier? Surely someone there should have caught the error….

Editor’s Note: Btw, if you are offended by this commentary and decide to peruse the Bushido for mistakes in grammar or spelling, I am not going to stop you from having your fun. However, I must point out (not that this excuse has actual merit, but you have to spin it somehow) that I don’t have an actual Editor, paid staff nor am I hosting a living literary legend, who I am sure noticed your mistake.

The Democrats take back both Chambers of Congress!

The AP is calling the close race between Democrat Jim Webb with 1,172,461 votes beating incumbent and son of former Washington Redskins coach, Sen. George Allen. How close was it Bill? Yep, that close, but taking a page from the President's book (it's a pop-up book for you home gamers) Democratic candidates Claire McCaskill (takes back Harry Truman's seat) by announcing her victory before all of the votes were counted and Jim Webb announced his victory last night after his opponent went to bed. And now the balance of power is restored!

Governor Mark Sanford is turned away at the polls because he didn't have his voter's registration card or driver's license...

South Carolina’s Governor Mark Sanford became a disenfranchised voter today, but alas it was due to his own lack of preparation. Governor Sanford went to the polls on Sullivan’s Island today to cast his vote, (Click here to watch the video courtesy of Channel 5, WCSC. Inc) but left his registration card and his driver’s license at the residence (he temporarily) inhabits in Columbia. (Click here for the video on CNN)

I’ll be the first to admit that Governor Sanford did handle this situation with as much grace as one can in this predicament, especially considering his wife (Jenny) was scolding him in the background, but come on Mr. Governor, you are “kind of a big deal around here” and it would have been nice to see you prepared instead of continuing to make the citizens of this State look like idiots.

For those home-gamers keeping score, Mr. Sanford’s opponent, Democrat Tommy Moore came prepared and didn’t have any trouble casting his ballot in Aiken County. We are trying to find away to post the WCSC video to YouTube, to make it easier for you to access it.

Words of advice for Governor Sanford next time bring you driver’s license, voter registration card or simply bring along the blue-blazer from your Gubernatorial Inauguration. I am sure we all remember that you didn’t want to dress up in a suit for that “special” occasion.

(Photo courtesy of Channel 5 News, WCSC.Inc)

Carrie Underwood and Faith Hill last night at the CMA's

Brad called me last night to check out Carrie Underwood on the CMA's, but even better was Faith Hill's reaction when she didn't win.

Borat Da Ali G Show- In the South at Middleton Plantation

I am posting this because I know Electon Day is a stressful day for all of Us and I thought we could use some humor. Also, Mel hasn't seen this video yet, so I thought I'd let him in on the fun. Borat's movie grossed over $100 million this past weekend. I haven't seen it yet, but I'll be in line later this week.

Karen Floyd is bad for Public Schools, Vote Jim Rex!


I am not a teacher; I just play one on television
I guess it should be expected since the S.C. Education Assoc. is backing her opponent (Jim Rex) and considering that Karen Floyd’s background as the owner of a PR/Marketing firm (the Palladian Group) she would not have an actual teacher in her commercial. Not that it really matters to me if the proud teacher of the class in the commercial is Becky Kerr (the office manager/Assistant Controller) of Floyd’s firm, The Palladian Group, but what does bother me is her misleading the general public regarding her political platform.

And now it is time for the break-down
1) Karen Floyd is a “Public-School Mom”: I will give her this attribute, but what candidate Floyd is not telling us is that her children attended private-school until she announced her decision to run for Super-Ed. As Keller over at Smarter Charleston pointed out, Floyd’s children attend “the Pine Street School-a public elementary school with few equals” and she is hardly a champion of public schools. (See: next comment)

2) Floyd wants “more parental involvement”: Meaning she wants Parents to be able to decide where their child attends school by using tuition-tax-credits (e.g. putting public money into private and religious schools with vouchers and tax-credits) for the families which qualify. Meaning, if you are middle-to-low-on the income spectrum get ready to get for a top level dash of abandonment-because if you can’t afford the private-school (even if your child could get in academically) and money is being taken away from the public schools (regardless of the school’s level of success), your child(ren) are getting the worst shake at the academic success in the past 4-years. Fortunately, they had enough support to kill this idea when President Bush and Governor Sanford pushed it a few years ago because it would have costs the state of South Carolina a ½ billion dollars and our school system would have been in shambles.

3) Karen Floyd wants to instill discipline in the classrooms: Candidate Floyd’s band-aide to solve discipline problems in the classroom is to install cameras in every classroom and expel children with video evidence. My first question, how much is this going to cost? Secondly, why not just give teachers authority in the classroom once again? If CIA agents can torture people without legal retribution, why can’t teachers discipline students without legal retribution? What? You think that is an extreme comparison? Well, perhaps that is just left-over thinking from a public-school graduate whose parents gave me twice of whatever I got at school-now that my friends is “parental-involvement”.

Itty-Bitty-Kitty-Pitty-Party for -Poor, Poor Brad

When Brad has this kind of a football week, (see: Redskins win 22-19 over Dallas and Clemson’s loss to Maryland, 13-12) it is time for the Bradford to go "Ostrich-cog-nito". Come on Brad, pull yourself together and at least get out to vote on Tuesday.

Wait, why am I having a pity-party for Brad. He talks just as much smack as I do when my teams lose-so Brad, BYAHHH!!! In your face!

To end on a positive note: Brad has lost 20-lbs since this photo was taken.

(Photo: JET/Bushido Staff 2006)